Pause

Sharing our personal thoughts and prayers can seem intimidating and uncomfortable. But just as those in the early church had to overcome those fears, we do too. The more we practice opening our lives to others, the easier it may become.

We would all benefit if we became more transparent and more humble to ask for help or prayer.

Listen

Think

There used to be a TV show called “I’ve Got a Secret!” It was the celebrity panelists’ job to guess what the contestant’s secret was. At times we live our lives that way. We have secrets and hurtful feelings and thoughts that we carry around. It almost appears we expect others to guess what our secrets are. Sometimes we spend a lot of time trying to hide who we really are and what we're feeling and experiencing.

Today's passage from James reminds us that we have nothing to gain from keeping secrets. It is only when we open our lives to others who are trustworthy that we find freedom and healing from the painful things we choose to carry around with us.

Choose today to let others help you carry your burdens and your secrets. Allowing someone to pray with you can only make life easier!

Pray

Go

Prayer is more than just a quiet time with God. It is entering into a community (a life together) as we seek to experience and be the presence of Christ. How might you open your life to others as you seek to be the answer to their prayers?

Listen!…Follow!…Share!…Encourage!…Inspire!…Pray!

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writer

Dale Tadlock

Dale Tadlock is the associate pastor and minister to young adults and students at First Baptist Church of Waynesboro, Virginia. He is currently serving as president of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Youth Ministry Network. He is married to Laura and they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Lindsay.